Outlook research series
The Outlook papers are the Asia New Zealand Foundation's flagship series of research publications.
►New Zealand’s place in Asia: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Dr Rajaram Panda and Dr Pankaj Jha, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi, India.
Abstract: Historically, New Zealand and India have differed in their opinions on a number of issues, such as nuclear non-proliferation and military alliances. More recently, though, the two countries have taken a specifically Asian orientation in their foreign policies. This paper argues that, from an Indian perspective, New Zealand has immense potential as a player in the Asian landscape – but that its role has been largely subdued owing to power rivalries and its geographical location. India believes that New Zealand needs to be more active in multilateral economic and political discussions, and must formulate policies that enable it to have greater participation in the region.
► Asean's Perspective of New Zealand's Place in Asia
Author: Daljit Singh, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore
Abstract: With the transformations that have taken place within New Zealand, in terms of its changing demography, as well as its clear support of ASEAN’s centrality in the regional security architecture, New Zealand is now accepted economically and geopolitically as part of the Asian region by the ASEAN countries argues Daljit Singh. New Zealand’s soft power attributes are seen as adding value to ASEAN and Southeast Asia. However, as stability in Southeast Asia is vital for New Zealand’s security, New Zealand needs to be aware of events in the region and putting more resources into its relations with ASEAN.
Asia:NZ's research director Dr Andrew Butcher talks to Daljit Singh about his report.
►Getting to Know the Neighbours: Building New Zealand-Asian business relations
Author: Rod Oram, business commentator
Abstract: The rapid rise in Asian economies is creating unprecedented opportunities for New Zealand businesses. In the first in a series on business culture in Asia, Rod Oram argues that New Zealand businesses need a combination of both hard business skills and soft cultural skills in order to tap into the Asian economy.
Through interviews with representatives from companies that are already engaged with Asia, this research report identifies the opportunities and analyses the issues that arise.
Asia:NZ's research director Dr Andrew Butcher spoke to Rod Oram about who our neighbours are, the common interests we share, and the opportunities and hurdles that New Zealand companies face in Asia.
Released 18 October 2011
► Lining up a Persuasive Friend: Japan's expectations of how New Zealand can contribute to Asian security
Author: Professor Yoichiro Sato, Director of International Strategic Studies at Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University in Japan
Abstract: Despite New Zealand’s remoteness from the rest of Asia, diplomatic relations, educational exchanges, tourism, business relations and immigration have linked the security of New Zealand with the security of Asia and Japan. Although Japan’s expectations of New Zealand in Asian security matters is modest, New Zealand’s views in multilateral forums means that Japan will encourage New Zealand into regional forums in order to contribute to discussion and rule-making – especially on the topic of engagement with China. Professor Yoichiro Sato looks at the strategic environment within Asia and how Japan thinks New Zealand might fit into this picture. This paper also summarises various security issues in Asia that are perceived as important by the Japanese, such as maritime boundary disputes and naval rivalry with China; energy security; nuclear and missile proliferation; terrorism and natural disaster safety and discusses the perception gaps between Japan and New Zealand on these issues.
Asia:NZ's research director Dr Andrew Butcher spoke with the author of Outlook 16, Professor Yoichiro Sato on Japan's view of New Zealand's place in Asia.
Released June 23 2011
► Engaging Asia: the role of the diaspora
Author: Dr Alan Gamlen, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, International Migration Institute, University of Oxford
Abstract: A cohesive and engaged diaspora – or a group of expatriates with loyal and frequent connections to the homeland – would serve as a strong asset to advance New Zealand’s interests in Asian countries and further its multilateral cooperation efforts in the Asia-Pacific. As diasporas are often entities in flux, aa strong cohesive approach is necessary to ensure ongoing expatriate loyalty through appropriate strategic policies. Streamlined visa agreements, taxation, pension and healthcare provisions for emigrants will not only increase freedom of movement but provide a necessary stimulus for Kiwi expatriates to remain engaged and make contributions to the home country.
► New Zealand's Diaspora in China: Untapped resources
Authors: Dr Elsie Ho, Professor Manying Ip and Joanna Lewin
Abstract: Connections between New Zealand and China have grown in the past 30 years on the strength of short and long-term people exchanges. Changes in New Zealand immigration policies from the 1980s onwards, coupled with the opening up of China’s economy and freer movement of Chinese abroad, led to more Chinese coming to New Zealand and more New Zealanders being based in China. New Zealand’s Chinese population, both overseas and New Zealand-born, quadrupled between 1986 and 2001, and reached 147,570 in the 2006 Census. China is also a major source country for international students in New Zealand. “The Hundred People Project” and the “Billion Dollar Scheme” are just two of the plethora of policies China is now putting in place to entice back its talented expatriates. Meanwhile, Hong Kong outbound migration has diminished. Return migration – Chinese people who have studied or worked in New Zealand but have returned to China or Hong Kong – is now a significant untapped resource for building and maintaining networks of value to New Zealand. New Zealand expatriate organisations in China and Hong Kong maintain these connections alive. More structured efforts are needed for nurturing our diaspora abroad as the flow of transnational movements between New Zealand and Asia is projected to accelerate in the future.
► Standing Together, in Single File: Australian views of New Zealand and Asia
Author: Dr Malcolm Cook, Lowy Institute for International Policy
Abstract: Since their foundations as independent states, Australia and New Zealand have stood together in their common drive to engage with (and in) Asia. Throughout this same period, many countries in the region have also paired Australia with New Zealand when it comes to their place in broader Asia. In 1951, the two countries signed the ANZUS alliance and only last year the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA). Yet, powerful forces in the region and in Australian foreign and security policy are weakening this trans-Tasman bond in Asia. From soccer to diplomatic bodies to new defence relationships, Australia is becoming more deeply involved multilaterally in Asia without New Zealand, and in bilateral trade diplomacy often in competition with New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand still stand together in relation to Asia but more and more in single file rather than arms entwined.
► Future Potential and the Invisible Diaspora: New Zealand and South Asia diaspora
Author: Dr Robert Didham
Abstract: Outlook 12 assesses the potential of South Asian diasporas in New Zealand and of the New Zealand diaspora in South Asia to further relations between the two regions. India, projected to become one of the world’s three largest economies by 2050, is the focus of the report, but the region also encompasses Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan. While the New Zealand-India relationship is a fairly modest one in terms of trade, a main characteristic of the relationship is in the long term migration flows to New Zealand. Growing links such as a free trade agreement with India would most certainly unlock some of the future commercial potential that is as yet untapped by existing people to people links.
► Intersections: Southeast Asia and diaspora engagement
Author: Dr Robert Didham
Abstract: 2009 is the Year of the Diaspora. Intersections: Southeast Asia and diaspora engagement provides an overview of the Southeast Asian diasporas in New Zealand and of the New Zealand diaspora in Southeast Asia. Given the importance of the emerging Free Trade Agreement involving New Zealand and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, along with China and Australia, these diasporas are set to become important players in this transnational future. The focus is on the connections between these diasporas and on the ways in which the diasporas engage with each other and with their respective host societies. Three broad levels of activity – social, commercial and policy – are identified and the connections between these levels of activity discussed.
►Asians in Wellington: Changing the ethnic profile of the capital city
Author: Dr Wardlow Friesen
Abstract: In the final Outlook report in the series on New Zealand’s Asian populations, Auckland University geographer Dr Wardlow Friesen looks at Asians in Wellington and the changing ethnic profiles of New Zealand’s capital city. After Auckland, Wellington has the second-largest number of Asians in its population, a result of its long-term and unique history of involvement with Asia. Wellington is the home to Asia’s diplomatic posts as well as the headquarters of many national ethnic associations. Asian students also have a significant presence in this university city: it began in 1950 with the intake of Asian students under the Colombo Plan.
► Asians in Dunedin: Not a new story
Author: Dr Wardlow Friesen
Abstract: Dunedin’s historical linkages to Asia have developed into contemporary connections, demonstrated primarily in the substantial change in the ethnic composition of its population, as well as in the considerable numbers of international students, and the established Asian communities who in some cases have lived in Dunedin for several generations. With the recent development of the Chinese Garden, along with a youthful and divergent Asian population, the evolving ethnic composition of Dunedin seems to be largely viewed in a positive way.
► Asians in Christchurch: the 'most British' city diversifies
Author: Dr Wardlow Friesen
Abstract: This report shows that despite a relatively small Asian population through much of the 20th century, the origins of local Asian residents stretch back to the 1800s. While people born in the British Isles have always formed a large share of the Christchurch population, the most notable recent change has been among Asian-born people – from fewer than 3,000 in 1986 to about 22,000 in two decades. The most dramatic aspect of the Chinese population is its relative youth, emphasising the importance of international students: more than a quarter of all Chinese in the Canterbury region are 20 to 24 years old. Altogether, just under a half of all Chinese are aged between 15 and 30.
► Previous Outlook papers
- Asians in New Zealand: Implications of a changing demography
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- Diverse Auckland: the face of New Zealand in the 21st Ccntury?
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Friends and Allies: the impacts of returning Asian students on New Zealand-Asia relationships
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New Zealand Capability - Lessons from Asia, part one: Singapore and Malaysia
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New Zealand and East Asia's Security Future
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Globalisation and Regionalisation in East Asia: The China Factor
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New Zealand-Southeast Asia Relations: A survey of the contemporary relationship
